Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has commenced Multan-Sharjah flight twice a week. The inaugural flight PK-293 carrying 166 passengers departed from Multan on Wednesday morning. A ceremony was held at Multan Airport where Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was the Chief Guest. Federal Minister for Privatization and Aviation Muhammad Mian Soomro, PIA President & CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik and official of CAA also present at the ceremony.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the incumbent government was keen to see PIA rising again and extending full support for its revival and expressed his satisfaction on the leadership of Air Marshal Arshad Malik in bringing back the past glory of the national flag carrier.
Muhammad Mian Soomro said PIA was moving in the right direction and progressing well under the leadership of Air Marshal Arshad Malik and added that more aircraft and destinations would be added in near future.
CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik said this flight fulfilled the long standing demand of the people of South Punjab as now they would have direct access to UAE.
He said this was also a part of PIA's strategy of revival and network expansion and more flights were being added and added that after commencement of Multan-Sharjah, PIA's flights to Sharjah from Pakistan would increase to seven per week while the airline would commence flights from Peshawar to Sharjah from February 21 and Peshawar to Al-Ain from February 22.